Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Blackwing #3

The Horned Guardian

Rate this book
An evil necromancer queen, defeated and executed, has a dark, sinister ally. Jinua the Paladin and Ontiku the Necromancer have traced them to the town of Paramis, and have managed to survive and even respect each other in the process.

But their uneasy alliance to track and handle their new foe is tested when the leaders of Paramis ask Jinua to execute a fifteen-year-old boy. After all, a necromancer cannot be allowed to live, no matter how young and innocent. It's only a matter of time before they become corrupt and evil, right?

Even worse, the town's enchanted forest--ruled by an ancient nature spirit--is uplifting its roots and leaving for reasons unknown, taking its magical healing properties with it. And the young necromancer swears his sister--long thought dead--is alive and living in those enchanted woods.

Jinua's beliefs are further questioned as she must decide who to rescue, who to execute, and who is friend and foe.

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2023

14 people are currently reading
268 people want to read

About the author

C.M. Alongi

14 books442 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
90 (75%)
4 stars
28 (23%)
3 stars
2 (1%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for S.M..
Author 5 books26 followers
May 15, 2023
A little slower than the previous, but it really started to drill down on the consequences that Jinua could face for developing friendships with a necromancer as a result of the tenets of her faith. Great parallel to Ontiku’s responsibilities to younger, untrained (and usually abused) necromancers.
7 reviews
April 14, 2023
Wonderful

The way the story and world building are revealed is wonderful, the characters are compelling, and though I think the author could have easily added extra detail and stretched the story out into a full book, the crispness of the narrative makes it a better read than a lot a few novels I've read. Well worth the read especially if you've read the previous novella's first.
Profile Image for Jen.
152 reviews
April 18, 2023
Best of the bunch so far! Jinua and Ontiku are still traveling, and learning along the way. The plot was exciting, the new characters were interesting, and we dealt with new types of magic and the issues it causes. I have firmly decided I absolutely love Ontiku, and their take on things. I enjoy that we are starting to get a 'found family' feel, and that we are learning more about the world the story is set in. The next book is out in 2 weeks, I am so looking forward to it!
 
Profile Image for Foxx Writer.
163 reviews3 followers
June 20, 2023
Yet another amazing book in the blackwing series, we get to see Jinua struggle not only with her own morality, but the skewed morals not only of others, but of those of her own faith as well. characters continue to grow and change, and we even get to meet two new characters! both of whom are precious and amazing and i will protect them with my life! so will Jinua in this thrilling tale of corruption, and acceptance.
4,548 reviews29 followers
June 4, 2023
I’m glad for the variety of characters and representation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sario.
6 reviews
April 15, 2023
It keeps getting better

Alongi keeps adding layers of excellent worldbuilding with each story, creating a beautifully realized world. I’m as eager to see more of this world as I am to see the rest of the story.
Profile Image for Nicole.
17 reviews
May 10, 2023
Exciting

This story was awesome and a great way to add more members to the main character group. I love how the Paladin is learning to trust her gut and instincts instead of the corrupt history spread around. I am obsessed with this series!
Profile Image for Patricia Harris.
Author 44 books3 followers
May 28, 2023
A strong story

You really want to believe that the truth is black and white. This story elegantly weaves in the shades of grey. Characters worth reading. And I want more. Glad I already have the next one...
6 reviews
July 17, 2023
New twists on classic tropes

C absolutely nails it with the newly expanded main cast, and providing more intriguing world building. Also loving the trans representation.
*Chef's Kiss*
Profile Image for Gabi.
545 reviews
April 22, 2023
The fun adventure continues!! Builds perfectly on the first two, introduces some new interesting characters, and presents new challenges to our favorite duo.
52 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2024
Great 3rd in the series

It ended on a cliffhanger. Luckily, I have the other 2 books in this series.
This is definitely a good read.
4 reviews
March 22, 2024
So cool! Great Characters and Worlbuilding! I really like Aketa, they're great
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.